Going to the river to drown To get me out of this town Tell mama I've tried, tell papa I've cried I'm going to the river to drown A little poison won't do Won't kick me out of my shoes I'll be locked down in a cell 'til my body's just a shell Going to the river to drown To get me out of this town Tell mama I've tried, tell papa I've cried I'm going to the river to drown Ain't got no excuse For singin' the blues Me and the devil walking side by side Gonna catch a greyhound bus and ride Going to the river to drown To get me out of this town Tell mama I've tried, tell papa I've cried I'm going to the river to drown I'm going now A little knife won't do And that gun won't shoot Got in trouble, had to roam Left my girl, left my home Going to the river to drown To get me out of this town Tell mama I've tried, papa I've cried I'm going to the river to drown I'm going now